Patrizia A. Zita
CEO
Patrizia “Trish” Zita co-founded The Zita Group in 2007 and is the firm’s Principal owner. Trish has managed The Zita Group since its inception building it into one of the top five firms in the state and the largest firm founded and owned by a woman.
Beyond leading the firm, Trish provides hands-on representation for several Fortune 500 and multinational companies, as well as healthcare and non-profit organizations, and trade association clients. Trish is known for her exceptional strategic instincts and extensive relationships with key decision makers. She is a trusted confidant to many in NJ’s business and political arenas.
Trish has been consistently recognized as a prominent and influential business and political leader in New Jersey. Most recently, Trish was named #2 on InsiderNJ’s Top 100 Lobbyists of 2024. Over the last decade Trish has been named to top 100 lists by various publications including ROI-NJ’s Champions of the C-Suite, NJBIZ, Insider NJ, Observer’s PolitickerNJ, Forbes Magazine and InsiderNJ’s Cannabis Power List.
Following the election of Governor Phil Murphy, Trish was selected to serve on his Environment and Energy Transition Committee, where she provided the incoming Administration with policy analysis and expertise as they prepared to take office.
During the 2017 gubernatorial election, Trish began serving on the Rutgers Center for American Women in Politics, New Jersey Bipartisan Coalition for Women’s Appointments’ Advisory Committee. For decades, the organization has played an instrumental role during transition years to ensure the placement of women in key positions throughout state government and on government boards and commissions. She continues to serve on this committee today.
Trish has also been honored by several organizations for her achievements in community service, politics and business. In 2019, she received the YWCA of Princeton’s Tribute to Women Award which recognizes women who truly embody their mission of eliminating racism and empowering women through their accomplishments. Trish also received Emerge New Jersey’s Bench Builder Award in 2017 and was recognized by the Executive Women of New Jersey in 2016 for her trailblazing work as one of New Jersey’s most influential and accomplished women leaders.
Trish began her lobbying career at a trade association representing over 100 pharmaceutical, chemical and petro-chemical companies in the state. She successfully negotiated passage of several critical laws affecting industry operations and business practices dealing with taxation, environmental issues and energy use.
Prior to that, Trish served as a Research Associate for the New Jersey General Assembly, and was responsible for legislation and policy development in several major issue areas including health, insurance, education, and social services. She also served as a legislative assistant for the New York General Assembly and staffed the chairmen of the Health and Small Business Committees.
Trish is active in several organizations throughout the state and in her community. She serves as an executive board member of the Drumthwacket Foundation and a trustee of the Bucks County Playhouse. Trish previously served as a trustee for the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce and CASA of Mercer and Burlington Counties, a non-profit organization that advocates for children removed from their families due to abuse or neglect. Trish has also served as Chair of the Women’s Political Caucus’ Political Action Committee and continues to be an active member.
Trish earned her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University’s Utica College and did her Masters studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Center of Government.
